Northwestern vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

Compare Northwestern University in Evanston, IL with Cornell University in Ithaca, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Northwestern based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 23,856 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Northwestern University is located in Evanston, IL (Small City setting); Cornell University is in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting).
• Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Northwestern University 6:1; Cornell University 9:1.

Northwestern vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northwestern or Cornell? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cornell University than Northwestern ($26,361 vs. $26,830).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 8% lower than at Northwestern University ($19,428 vs. $21,126).
• Cornell University is 1.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern (about $992 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at Cornell than at Northwestern University (about $992 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northwestern University than at Cornell University (53% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 4.3% larger than aid received by Cornell University students ($64,429 vs. $61,779).

Northwestern vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northwestern or Cornell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cornell and Northwestern.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is the same as at Cornell (1540).
• Incoming Northwestern students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 34) as students at Cornell (34).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 1510/1570; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Northwestern University 33/35; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Northwestern - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at Cornell (3.9).
• Cornell has a higher acceptance rate (8.8%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 55.3% at Northwestern vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Northwestern vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Northwestern and Cornell? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than Cornell University's (93%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Northwestern graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $89,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $7,378 lower median loan debt than Northwestern graduates ($12,000 vs. $19,378).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northwestern graduates ($124 vs. $200).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northwestern students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 87%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.